Are you Arsenal in disguise? Arsenal Vs West Brom review

Where to start?

I think it is more than fair to say that West Brom were written off for this game by fans and the media well before it even kicked off. Maybe however, the Arsenal players believed that too and that was our undoing.

The first half was painful. We were awful, we couldn't pass, couldn't shoot, couldn't talk, couldn't defend...... you get the point. The baggies won a penalty as Almunia committed the foul in the area and picked up a yellow card for his troubles. Brunt stepped up with glory in his eyes which was wiped away as Almunia made a good save low to his right.

Second half was just as bad as West Brom outplayed us and deservedly ended up 3 - 0 ahead. Almunia is going to get slated today from every angle and you could argue that the second and third goal were both down to him thanks to a ridiculous fumble and then an indecisive rush from his line followed by a sudden and costly change of mind which left him stranded in no mans land leaving the goal empty for a tap in. However, we can not lay the blame for this result solely on his shoulders, if you look back at the first goal our entire defence turned to stone and let the West Brom players weave in between them, it was Koscielny's man that scored the goal and he was nowhere to be found, also on the second goal Koscielny was nowhere near close enough to the opposition striker who in fairness should not of been able to get the shot away in the first place. I'm not trying to pass the blame from Almunia to Koscielny, I'm just pointing out that although Almunia will be the scapegoat for many Arsenal fans, he was not the only player to make mistakes and in all honesty probably made less than any other player in an Arsenal shirt.

The important thing from this miserable Saturday is to try and pluck some positive thoughts and I could only think of two words, 'Samir' and 'Nasri'. Super Sam was a bright light on a miserable weekend and although the embarrassment of the defeat will overshadow everything else, both of his goals were taken brilliantly.

Arsene Wenger, usually such a defender of his team admitted that he "didn't recognise" any of his players and hopefully will make every player watch that tape over and over again and we learn from whatever it was that happened.

I set out planning to make this review as positive as possible and apologise because I've struggled to to get even close. So, heads up Gooners, it's just one game so let us all just forget that Saturday 25th September 2010 ever happened and look forward to another high scoring win in the champions league on Wednesday night then prepare ourselves for our trip to Stamford Bridge and for a truly positive note, as was pointed out on twitter in 2001 Charlton Athletic beat us at home 4 - 2 and our keeper had a nightmare - We won the double that season.

Just to add another positive point, Jack Wilshere's old mates at Bolton got a draw with Utd so just remember the weekend could have been better but it could have been a lot, lot worse.

Goonerfish.

Arsenal Vs West Brom Preview

Ooh, my first preview, how exciting.

Arsene Wenger returns to his seat on the bench for West Brom's visit to the Emirates tomorrow but will be without a key collection of first teamers. Fabregas, Vermaelen, Eboue, Gibbs join long term absentees Bendtner, Van Persie, Walcott on the sidelines while Diaby and Rosicky face fitness tests today. I can't believe our injury list is so big already (lets not forget that Ramsey is still sat at home too), it's only game six and already we could almost field an entire team of crocked players - Actually strike that, this long supporting Arsenal I'm surprised we don't have more injuries.

Injuries aside we still have enough talent in our squad to teach West Brom a footballing lesson (just ask Spurs about our strength in depth) and should win comfortably. In defence I can't see anything breaking up the new boys in the centre and with Clichy and Sagna on either side our defence will be as attacking as ever. Alex Song should return to our midfield after his suspension to join the in form Wilshere and I think Denilson will be given the nod to complete our midfield three if Diaby is deemed unfit to play. Chamakh will again surely lead the attack with our joint leading goal-scorer Arshavin on his left and Nasri running riot on the right.

Goonerfish's line-up

Score: Arsenal 4 - 0 West Brom

The Baggies have only ever taken 1 point from visits to us in the Premier League and that was in 2004. I can't see anything other than a win for us tomorrow, but don't assume it will be an easy game. West Brom will try to play football and on their day are more than capable of putting on a good show however we should be too much for them and with a total of 16 goals in our 3 home games so far, we are in great goal scoring form. Hopefully we can also enjoy Chelsea dropping their first points of the season to Man City.

Chant hard, sing loud, enjoy the game.

Goonerfish.